Method and apparatus to decrease combustor emissions

ABSTRACT

A method for securing a component for manufacture. The method includes fixedly coupling a first clamping member and a biasing mechanism to a tool that includes a fixture. The fixture includes a first clamping member, a second clamping member, and a biasing mechanism. The method further includes coupling the second clamping member to the fixture, using the biasing mechanism to align the component within the tool between the first and second clamping members such that the component is maintained in position relative to the fixture, securing the component between the first and second clamping members such that the first clamping member, the second clamping member, and the component are fixedly secured in position with respect to the fixture, and retaining the component in position with respect to the fixture using the first and second clamping members.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.10/253,344, filed Sep. 24, 2002 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,830,240, which ishereby incorporated by reference and is assigned to assignee of thepresent invention.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to manufacturing techniques, and morespecifically to methods and apparatus for securing components formanufacture.

Accurate manufacturing of a component may be a significant factor indetermining a manufacturing time of the component. Specifically, whenthe component is a gas turbine engine blade, accurate manufacturing ofthe blade may be one of the most significant factors affecting anoverall cost of fabrication of the gas turbine engine, as well assubsequent modifications, repairs, and inspections of the blade. Forexample, gas turbine engine blades include a tip shroud that typicallyrequires an accurately machined radius along the tip and center sectionof the blade. The radius is established using a system of datumsreferenced about the profile of the blade. More specifically, toestablish the datums, the blades must be rigidly held duringmanufacturing, such that the tip shroud is maintained in positionwithout distorting the blade profile.

At least some known manufacturing processes encapsulate a cast gasturbine engine blade in a tin-bismuth matrix wherein datums from thecast blade are transferred to the matrix. However, using such a matrixdoes not always produce accurate results that are reliable or easilyrepeatable. In addition, using a matrix may require multiple fixtures,machines, and/or processes. Furthermore, a matrix may decrease howrigidly the blade is held during manufacturing, which may result in aslower manufacturing time of the blade.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, a method is provided for securing a component formanufacture. The method includes fixedly coupling a first clampingmember and a biasing mechanism to a tool that includes a fixture. Thefixture includes a first clamping member, a second clamping member, anda biasing mechanism. The method further includes coupling the secondclamping member to the fixture, using the biasing mechanism to align thecomponent within the tool between the first and second clamping memberssuch that the component is maintained in position relative to thefixture, securing the component between the first and second clampingmembers such that the first clamping member, the second clamping member,and the component are fixedly secured in position with respect to thefixture, and retaining the component in position with respect to thefixture using the first and second clamping members.

In another aspect, a tool is provided including a fixture, a firstclamping member fixedly coupled to the fixture, a biasing mechanismfixedly coupled to the fixture for biasing a component against the firstclamping member, and a second clamping member coupled to the fixture.The first and second clamping members are configured to retain thecomponent therebetween.

In yet another aspect, an apparatus is provided for securing acomponent. The apparatus includes a fixture, a first clamping memberfixedly coupled to the fixture, a biasing mechanism fixedly coupled tothe fixture and configured to bias the component against the firstclamping member, and a second clamping member coupled to the fixture.The first and second clamping members are configured to fixedly securethe component in position with respect to the fixture.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary gas turbine engine blade;

FIG. 2 is a side view of a fixture assembly for securing a component,such as the gas turbine engine blade shown in FIG. 1, in position duringmanufacture;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a dovetail clamp assembly portion of thefixture shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the fixture shown in FIG. 3 andtaken along line 4—4 and in an unclamped position;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the fixture shown in FIG. 4 and in aclamped position; and

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a component locator used with thefixture shown in FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As used herein, the terms “manufacture” and “manufacturing” may includeany manufacturing process. For example, manufacturing processes mayinclude grinding, finishing, polishing, cutting, machining, inspecting,and/or casting. The above examples are intended as exemplary only, andthus are not intended to limit in any way the definition and/or meaningof the terms “manufacture” and “manufacturing”. In addition, as usedherein the term “component” may include any object to which amanufacturing process is applied. Furthermore, although the invention isdescribed herein in association with a gas turbine engine, and morespecifically for use with a turbine blade for a gas turbine engine, itshould be understood that the present invention may be applicable to anycomponent and/or any manufacturing process. Accordingly, practice of thepresent invention is not limited to the manufacture of turbine blades orother components of gas turbine engines.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a turbine blade 10 that may be used witha gas turbine engine (not shown). In one embodiment, a plurality ofturbine blades 10 form a high-pressure turbine rotor blade stage (notshown) of the gas turbine engine. Each blade 10 includes a hollowairfoil 12 and an integral dovetail 14 that is used for mounting airfoil12 to a rotor disk (not shown) in a known manner. Alternatively, blades10 may extend radially outwardly from a disk (not shown), such that aplurality of blades 10 form a blisk (not shown).

Each airfoil 12 includes a first contoured sidewall 16 and a secondcontoured sidewall 18. First sidewall 16 is convex and defines a suctionside of airfoil 12, and second sidewall 18 is concave and defines apressure side of airfoil 12. Sidewalls 16 and 18 are joined at a leadingedge 20 and at an axially-spaced trailing edge 22 of airfoil 12. Morespecifically, airfoil trailing edge 22 is spaced chordwise anddownstream from airfoil leading edge 20. First and second sidewalls 16and 18, respectively, extend longitudinally or radially outward in spanfrom a blade root 24 positioned adjacent dovetail 14, to an airfoil tip26. In one embodiment, airfoil tip 26 includes a tip shroud 28 extendingradially outward therefrom in a direction away from airfoil 12. Tipshroud 28 includes a bottom surface 30.

FIG. 2 is a side view of a fixture assembly 50 for securing turbineblade 10 in position for manufacture. Fixture assembly 50 includes afixture 52 used for manufacturing processes, a dovetail clamp assembly54 coupled to fixture 52, and a tip shroud clamp assembly 56 coupled tofixture 52. Dovetail clamp assembly 54 and tip shroud clamp assembly 56are coupled to fixture 52 using any suitable coupling means. Forexample, in one embodiment, at least one of dovetail clamp assembly 54and tip shroud clamp assembly 56 is coupled to fixture 52 using threadedbolts and threaded nuts. In another embodiment, at least one of dovetailclamp assembly 54 and tip shroud clamp assembly 56 are coupled tofixture 52 using threaded bolts and threaded openings in fixture 52.Prior to undergoing a manufacturing process, a cast turbine blade 10 isvertically loaded into fixture assembly 50.

Dovetail clamp assembly 54 aligns blade dovetail 14 (shown in FIG. 1)such that dovetail 14 is secured in a position with respect to fixture52 that facilitates accurate manufacturing of blade 10. Tip shroud clampassembly 56 locates the blade tip shroud such that tip shroud 28 ismaintained in a position with respect to fixture 52 that facilitatesaccurate manufacturing of blade 10. Accordingly, using dovetail clampassembly 54 and tip shroud clamp assembly 56, fixture assembly 50facilitates locating, securing, and retaining blade 10 in a positionwith respect to fixture 52 to facilitate accurate manufacturing of blade10.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of dovetail clamp assembly 54. Dovetailclamp assembly 54 includes a first clamping member 58, a second clampingmember 60, and a biasing mechanism 62. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional viewof dovetail second clamping taken along line 4—4 of FIG. 3 andillustrating clamping member 60 in an unclamped position. First clampingmember 58 is fixedly coupled to dovetail clamp assembly 54 such thatfirst clamping member 58 does not move with respect to fixture 52. Morespecifically, first clamping member 58 is fixedly coupled to dovetailclamp assembly 54 using any suitable coupling means. For example, in oneembodiment, first clamping member 58 is coupled to dovetail clampassembly 54 using threaded bolts and threaded nuts. In anotherembodiment, first clamping member 58 is coupled to dovetail clampassembly 54 using threaded bolts and threaded holes in dovetail clampassembly 54.

Second clamping member 60 is rotatably coupled to fixture 52 such thatsecond clamping member 60 rotates with respect to fixture 52, about anaxis of rotation 64. More specifically, and as described in greaterdetail below, second clamping member 60 rotates about axis 64 between a‘clamped’ position (shown in FIG. 5) and an ‘unclamped’ position (shownin FIG. 4). Second clamping member 60 is rotated between the ‘clamped’and ‘unclamped’ positions using any suitable means. For example, in theexemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 2–5, second clamping member 60 isdriven using hydraulic fluid supplied from a source external to fixtureassembly 50 through a hydraulic fluid supply line 66 and a supply linefitting 67. When second clamping member 60 is in the ‘clamped’ position,first clamping member 58 and second clamping member 60 fixedly securedovetail 14 in a position that facilitates accurate manufacturing ofblade 10.

In the exemplary embodiment, second clamping member 60 includes a pin 69coupled thereto in any suitable manner. Pin 69 is coupled to a secondclamp biasing mechanism (not shown), which is coupled to dovetail clampassembly 54, or alternatively fixture 52, in any suitable manner. Thesecond clamp biasing mechanism biases pin 69 to rotate about axis 64 ina direction away from first clamping member 58. Pin 69 and the secondclamp biasing mechanism thereby facilitate biasing second clampingmember 60 to rotate from the ‘clamped’ position to the ‘unclamped’position. In an alternative embodiment, second clamping member 60 doesnot include pin 69 and the second clamp biasing mechanism directlybiases second clamping member 60 from the ‘clamped’ position to the‘unclamped’ position. In one embodiment, the second clamp biasingmechanism is a spring.

In the exemplary embodiment, second clamping member 60 also includes asemi-cylindrical opening 68 extending through second clamping member 60along axis 64, and dovetail clamp assembly 54 includes asemi-cylindrical projection 70 extending outwardly from a surface 72 ofdovetail clamp assembly 54 and extending along a portion of axis 64.Semi-cylindrical projection 70 includes a stem portion 74 that extendsfrom surface 72, and a cylindrically-shaped portion 76 that extends fromstem portion 74. Cylindrically-shaped portion 76 is received withinsemi-cylindrical opening 68 such that second clamping member 60 issupported by semi-cylindrical projection 70. A diameter d₁ ofcylindrically-shaped portion 76 is slightly smaller than a diameter d₂of semi-cylindrical opening 68 such that second clamping member 60 isfreely rotatable about semi-cylindrical projection 70 and axis 64. Inone embodiment, diameter d₁ is 0.2 inches smaller than diameter d₂. Inan alternative embodiment (not shown), a bearing (not shown) ispositioned between semi-cylindrical projection 70 and semi-cylindricalopening 68 to facilitate rotation of second clamping member 60 aboutsemi-cylindrical projection 70 and axis 64. Although second clampingmember 60 is illustrated and described herein as rotatably coupled todovetail clamp assembly 54 in the exemplary manner, it will beunderstood that second clamping member 60 may be rotatably coupled todovetail clamp assembly 54 in any suitable manner. For example, in analternative embodiment (not shown), second clamping member 60 is fixedlycoupled with a rod (not shown) that is rotatably coupled with dovetailclamp assembly 54.

As described above, in the exemplary embodiment described herein andshown in FIGS. 2–5, rotation of second clamping member 60 between the‘clamped’ position and the ‘unclamped’ position is driven by hydraulicfluid. More specifically, dovetail clamp assembly 54 includes ahydraulic cylinder 78 that includes an intake port 80, an internalchamber (not shown), and a rod 82. Intake port 80 is in fluidcommunication with the internal chamber and is coupled in fluidcommunication with an intake port supply line 84 that is coupled influid communication with supply line fitting 67. Supply line fitting 67is coupled in fluid communication with hydraulic fluid supply line 66,which is coupled in fluid communication with a hydraulic fluid sourceexternal to fixture assembly 50. An internal chamber of hydrauliccylinder 78 includes a piston (not shown) that is slidable within theinternal chamber of hydraulic cylinder 78 along a central axis 86 ofhydraulic cylinder 78. Rod 82 is coupled to the piston and extendsoutwardly through a portion of the hydraulic cylinder internal chamberand through an opening 88 in hydraulic cylinder 78 to second clampingmember 60. Opening 88 includes a sealing means (not shown) that extendscircumferentially between rod 82 and opening 88 to facilitate sealingthe internal chamber of hydraulic cylinder 78. Rod 82 is moveable withinopening 88 along central axis 86.

When pressure is applied to the hydraulic fluid within the internalchamber of hydraulic cylinder 78, the piston slides along central axis86 in the direction of second clamping member 60, causing rod 82 to movethrough opening 88 along central axis 86 in the direction of secondclamping member 60. When rod 82 has traveled a distance along centralaxis 86, rod 82 contacts second clamping member 60 and continuing travelof rod 82 along central axis 86 in the direction of second clampingmember 60 causes second clamping member 60 to rotate about axis 64 fromthe ‘unclamped’ position to the ‘clamped’ position. When pressure isremoved from the internal chamber of hydraulic cylinder 78, deformationof the sealing means for opening 88, caused by the movement of rod 82within opening 88, biases rod 82 to move within opening 88 along centralaxis 86 and away from second clamping member 60. Furthermore, the secondclamp biasing mechanism biases pin 69 to rotate about axis 64 in adirection away from first clamping member 58, thereby causing secondclamping member 60 to rotate about axis 64 in a direction away fromfirst clamping member 58. Accordingly, when pressure is removed from thehydraulic fluid within the internal chamber of hydraulic cylinder 78,second clamping member 60 rotates about axis 64 from the ‘clamped’position to the ‘unclamped’ position.

Biasing mechanism 62 is fixedly coupled to dovetail clamp assembly 54using any suitable coupling means. In one embodiment, biasing mechanism62 is coupled to dovetail clamp assembly 54 using threaded bolts andthreaded nuts. In another embodiment biasing mechanism 62 is coupled todovetail clamp assembly 54 using threaded bolts and threaded holes indovetail clamp assembly 54. At least a portion of dovetail 14 isreceived within a portion of biasing mechanism 62. Furthermore, at leasta portion of dovetail 14 is received within a portion of first clampingmember 58.

Blade 10 loaded into fixture assembly 50 along an axis 89. Because blade10 is loaded into fixture assembly 50 along axis 89, rather than an axis91 that is perpendicular to axis 89, a small amount of travel of rod 82along central axis 64 can be maintained. When blade 10 is loaded intofixture assembly 50, dovetail 14 is received within dovetail clampassembly 54. Biasing mechanism 62 deforms to allow a portion of dovetail14 to be received within a portion of biasing mechanism 62 and a portionof first clamping member 58. After dovetail 14 is received withinbiasing mechanism 62 and first clamping member 58, biasing mechanism 62biases dovetail 14 against first clamping member 58 thereby securingdovetail 14 against first clamping member 58. By securing dovetail 14against first clamping member 58, biasing mechanism 62 causes dovetail14 to be frictionally coupled with first clamping member 58 such thatdovetail 14 remains in position with respect to first clamping member 58while under the bias of biasing mechanism 62 and prior to clamping withsecond clamping member 60.

When secured against first clamping member 58, biasing mechanism 62biases dovetail 14 in a position that facilitates accurate manufacturingof blade 10 and retains dovetail 14 in the position while secondclamping member is in the ‘unclamped’ position. Once dovetail 14 issecured against first clamping member 58, second clamping member 60 isrotated to the ‘clamped’ position to fixedly secure dovetail 14 inposition for manufacturing of blade 10.

Although biasing mechanism 62 is herein described and illustrated in theexemplary manner, it will be understood that biasing mechanism 62 may beany other suitable shape and/or type of biasing mechanism that securesdovetail 14 against first clamping member 58 to thereby align dovetail14 into a position facilitating accurate manufacturing of blade 10 andretain dovetail 14 in the position facilitating accurate manufacturingof blade 10 while second clamping member is in the ‘unclamped’ position.In one embodiment, biasing mechanism 62 is a spring. For example, in oneembodiment biasing mechanism 62 is a helical spring. In anotherembodiment, biasing mechanism 62 is a plate spring. In yet anotherembodiment, biasing mechanism 62 is a leaf spring.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of dovetail second clamping member 60in the ‘clamped’ position. To facilitate accurate manufacturing of blade10, second clamping member 60 is rotated from the ‘unclamped’ position(shown in FIG. 4) to the ‘clamped’ position while dovetail 14 is securedagainst first clamping member 58 by biasing mechanism 62. In oneembodiment, the shape of a portion of second clamping member 60 iscomplimentary to the profile of dovetail 14 such that at least a portionof dovetail 14 is received within a portion of second clamping member60. As described above, when pressure is applied to the internal chamberof hydraulic cylinder 78, actuation of rod 82 causes second clampingmember 60 to rotate from the ‘unclamped’ position to the ‘clamped’position.

When second clamping member 60 is in the ‘clamped’ position, dovetail 14is frictionally coupled with first clamping member 58 and secondclamping member 60 such that dovetail 14 remains in position withrespect to first clamping member 58, second clamping member 60, andfixture 52 while second clamping member 60 is in the ‘clamped’ position.The portions of second clamping member 60 and first clamping member 58that are complimentarily shaped with respect to the profile of dovetail14 are configured such that when dovetail 14 is received within secondclamping member 60 and first clamping member 58, dovetail 14 is fixedlysecured between first clamping member 58 and second clamping member 60in a position with respect to fixture 52, thus facilitating accuratemanufacturing of blade 10. More specifically, the force applied todovetail 14 by first clamping member 58 and second clamping member 60while second clamping member 60 is in the ‘clamped’ position issufficient to maintain dovetail 14 in position to facilitate accuratemanufacturing of blade 10 and without distorting the profile and/orfeatures of blade 10.

Referring again to FIG. 2, tip shroud clamp assembly 56 includes acomponent locator 90, a clamping member 92, herein referred to as thirdclamping member 92, and a shroud work support lever 93 that is coupledto tip shroud clamp assembly 56. Shroud work support lever 93facilitates supporting blade 10 during manufacturing of blade 10.Component locator 90 includes a coolant guide 94 that includes aplurality of grooves (not shown in FIG. 5) in a surface 96 of componentlocator 90. Cooling guide 90 directs coolant from a coolant source (notshown) to blade 10 during manufacturing of blade 10. In an alternativeembodiment, cooling guide 94 includes a plurality of passagewaysextending through a body 98 of component locator 90. It will beunderstood that coolant guide 94 may be configured in any manner suchthat coolant guide 94 directs coolant to blade 10 during manufacturingof blade 10.

Component locator 90 is fixedly coupled to tip shroud clamp assembly 56such that component locator 90 does not move with respect to fixture 52.Component locator 90 is coupled to tip shroud clamp assembly 56 usingany suitable coupling means. In one embodiment, component locator 90 iscoupled to tip shroud clamp assembly 56 using threaded bolts andthreaded nuts. In another embodiment component locator 90 is coupled totip shroud clamp assembly 56 using threaded bolts and threaded holes intip shroud clamp assembly 56. A portion 116 (shown in FIG. 6) ofcomponent locator 90 is shaped complimentarily to the profile of tipshroud 28 of blade 10 such that at least a portion of tip shroud 28 ofblade 10 is received within component locator 90.

Third clamping member 92 is rotatably coupled to fixture 52 such thatthird clamping member 92 rotates with respect to fixture 52 and about anaxis of rotation 100 and between a ‘clamped’ position (shown in FIG. 2)and an ‘unclamped’ position (not shown). When third clamping member 92is in the ‘clamped’ position, component locator 90 and third clampingmember 92 fixedly secure blade tip shroud 28 in a position thatfacilitates accurate manufacturing of blade 10 during manufacturing ofblade 10. In the exemplary embodiment, third clamping member 92 includesa pin 101 coupled thereto in any suitable manner. Pin 101 engages with athird clamping member biasing mechanism (not shown), which is coupled totip shroud clamp assembly 54, or alternatively fixture 52, in anysuitable manner. The third clamping member biasing mechanism biases pin101 to rotate about axis 100 in a direction away from component locator90. Pin 101 and the third clamping member biasing mechanism therebyfacilitate biasing third clamping member 92 to rotate from the ‘clamped’position to the ‘unclamped’ position. In an alternative embodiment,third clamping member 92 does not include pin 101 and the third clampingmember biasing mechanism directly biases third clamping member 92 fromthe ‘clamped’ position to the ‘unclamped’ position. In one embodiment,the third clamping member biasing mechanism is a spring.

Rotation of third clamping member 92 between the ‘clamped’ and‘unclamped’ positions is driven by any suitable means. For example, inthe exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 5 and described herein, thirdclamping member 92 is driven by hydraulic fluid supplied from anexternal source to fixture assembly 50 through a hydraulic fluid supplyline 102 and a supply line fitting 104 to a hydraulic cylinder 106. Tipshroud clamp assembly 56 includes a rod 108 coupled to a piston (notshown) in an internal chamber (not shown) of hydraulic cylinder 106. Theoperation of hydraulic cylinder 106 to actuate rotation of thirdclamping member 92 about axis 100 is substantially similar to theactuation of second clamping member 60 by hydraulic cylinder 78. Morespecifically, when pressure is applied to the hydraulic fluid within theinternal chamber of hydraulic cylinder 106, rod 108 causes thirdclamping member 92 to rotate about axis 100 from the ‘unclamped’position to the ‘clamped’ position. When pressure is removed from theinternal chamber of hydraulic cylinder 106, rod 108 is biased away fromthird clamping member 92 and the third clamping member biasing mechanismbiases pin 101 to rotate about axis 100 in a direction away fromcomponent locator 90, thereby causing third clamping member 92 to rotateabout axis 100 in a direction away from component locator 90.Accordingly, when pressure is removed from the hydraulic fluid withinthe internal chamber of hydraulic cylinder 106, third clamping member 92rotates about axis 100 from the ‘clamped’ position to the ‘unclamped’position.

In the exemplary embodiment, third clamping member 92 includes asemi-cylindrical opening 110 extending through third clamping member 92along axis 100, and tip shroud clamp assembly 56 includes asemi-cylindrical projection 112 extending outward from a surface 114 oftip shroud clamp assembly 56 and extending along a portion of axis 100.Semi-cylindrical projection 112 extends from surface 114 and is receivedwithin semi-cylindrical opening 110 such that third clamping member 92is supported by semi-cylindrical projection 112. The diameter ofsemi-cylindrical projection 112 is slightly smaller than the diameter ofsemi-cylindrical opening 110 such that third clamping member 92 is freeto rotate about semi-cylindrical projection 112 and axis 100. In oneembodiment, the diameter of semi-cylindrical projection 112 is 0.2inches smaller than the diameter of semi-cylindrical opening 110. In analternative embodiment (not shown), a bearing (not shown) is positionedbetween semi-cylindrical projection 112 and semi-cylindrical opening 110to facilitate rotation of third clamping member 92 aboutsemi-cylindrical projection 112 and axis 100. Although third clampingmember 92 is illustrated and described herein as rotatably coupled totip shroud clamp assembly 56 in the exemplary manner, it will beunderstood that third clamping member 92 may be rotatably coupled to tipshroud clamp assembly 56 in any suitable manner.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of component locator 90 including coolantguide 94 and tip shroud portion 116. Tip shroud portion 116 is shapedwith respect to the profile of blade tip shroud 28 such that when bladetip shroud 28 is secured against component locator 90, tip shroud 28 isin a position with respect to fixture 52 to facilitate accuratemanufacturing of blade 10. In one embodiment, the shape of a portion(not shown) of third clamping member 92 is complimentary to the profileof the blade tip shroud 10 such that at least a portion of the blade tipshroud is received within a portion of third clamping member 92.

Blade 10 loaded into fixture assembly 50 along an axis 89. Because blade10 is loaded into fixture assembly 50 along axis 89, rather than an axis91 that is perpendicular to axis 89, a small amount of travel of rod 108along axis 100 can be maintained. When blade 10 is loaded into fixtureassembly 50, the blade tip shroud of blade 10 is received within tipshroud clamp assembly 56, and dovetail clamp assembly 54 fixedly securesdovetail 14 in a position with respect to fixture 52 to facilitateaccurate manufacturing of blade 10. As blade 10 is loaded into tipshroud clamp assembly 56, component locator 90 locates tip shroud 28 ina position to facilitate accurate manufacture of blade 10. After theblade tip shroud of blade 10 is located by component locator 90, thirdclamping member 92 is rotated from the ‘unclamped’ position to the‘clamped’ position to fixedly secure the blade tip shroud in position tofacilitate accurate manufacturing of blade 10. In one embodiment, secondclamping member 60 is rotated to the ‘clamped’ position before thirdclamping member 92. In another embodiment, third clamping member 92 isrotated to the ‘clamped’ position before second clamping member 60. Inyet another embodiment, third clamping member 92 and second clampingmember 60 are rotated to the ‘clamped’ position substantiallysimultaneously.

As described above, actuation of rod 108 causes third clamping member 92to rotate from the ‘unclamped’ position to the ‘clamped’ position. Whenthird clamping member 92 is in the ‘clamped’ position, tip shroud 28 isfrictionally coupled with component locator 90 and third clamping member92 such that tip shroud 28 of blade 10 will remain in position withrespect to component locator 90, third clamping member 92, and fixture52 during manufacturing. The portions of component locator 90 and thirdclamping member 92 that are complimentarily shaped with respect to theprofile of tip shroud 28 of blade 10 are received within the respectivecomplimentarily shaped portions of component locator 90 and thirdclamping member 92. Furthermore, during manufacturing shroud worksupport lever 93 contacts bottom surface 30 (shown in FIG. 1) of tipshroud 28. Shroud work support lever 93 facilitates fixedly securing tipshroud 28 in a position that facilitates accurate manufacturing of blade10 by supporting bottom surface 30. More specifically, shroud worksupport lever 93 facilitates preventing tip shroud 28 from flexing, andthereby distorting the profile and/or features of blade 10, duringmanufacturing by supporting bottom surface 30.

In one embodiment, tip shroud 28 is manufactured using a creep feedgrinder to machine a profile of tip shroud 28. Because the tip shroudprofile is machined using a grinding process, a lubris coolant isdirected between a grinding surface (not shown) and a surface (notshown) of tip shroud 28 being ground. Coolant grooves 118 direct theflow of coolant to fixture assembly 50 to blade 10 between the grindingsurface and the surface of tip shroud 28 being ground. Although coolantguide 94 is shown and described herein as including coolant grooves 118,it will be understood that coolant guide 94 may be configured in anymanner, including for example function and structure, such that coolantguide 94 directs coolant to blade 10 between the grinding surface andthe surface of tip shroud 28 being ground during manufacturing of blade10. Once the grinding process is complete, pressure is removed, andthird clamping member 92 rotates about axis 100 from the ‘clamped’position to the ‘unclamped’ position.

Fixture assembly 50 fixedly secures blade 10 in a position to facilitateaccurate manufacturing of blade 10 during manufacture, withoutdistorting the profile and/or features of blade 10, and while providingcoolant to the surface being manufactured. In addition, fixture assembly50 aligns blade 10, including dovetail 14 and tip shroud 28 of blade 10,in a position facilitating accurate manufacturing of blade 10 withminimal input from an operator.

The above-described tool is cost-effective and highly reliable forsecuring a component during manufacturing. The tool permits a bladedovetail and a tip shroud to be secured during manufacturing. Morespecifically, the tool rigidly secures the blade dovetail and tip shroudin a position without distorting the profile and/or features of theblade. The tool may also facilitate securing a blade dovetail and tipshroud during manufacturing without the use of multiple machines,fixtures, and/or processes. Because the blade may be self-oriented oncecoupled to the tool, the tool requires minimal input from an operator.As a result, the tool facilitates reducing manufacturing costs in acost-effective and reliable manner.

Exemplary embodiments of tool assemblies are described above in detail.The systems are not limited to the specific embodiments describedherein, but rather, components of each assembly may be utilizedindependently and separately from other components described herein.Each tool assembly component can also be used in combination with othertool assembly components.

While the invention has been described in terms of various specificembodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the inventioncan be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of theclaims.

1. A method for securing a gas turbine engine component for manufacture,said method comprising: fixedly coupling a first clamping member and abiasing mechanism to a tool that includes a fixture, including a firstclamping member, a second clamping member, and a biasing mechanism,wherein at least a portion of the biasing mechanism is sized to receiveat least a portion of the gas turbine engine component therein; couplingthe second clamping member to the fixture, wherein the second clampingmember is rotatably coupled to the fixture such that the second clampingmember rotates with respect to the fixture about an axis of rotation;using the biasing mechanism to align the component within the toolbetween the first and second clamping members such that the component ismaintained in position relative to the fixture; securing the componentbetween the first and second clamping members such that the firstclamping member, the second clamping member, and the component arefixedly secured in position with respect to the fixture; and retainingthe component in position with respect to the fixture using the firstand second clamping members.
 2. A method in accordance with claim 1wherein using the biasing mechanism to align the component comprisessecuring the component against the first clamping member with thebiasing mechanism.
 3. A method in accordance with claim 1 whereinsecuring the component between the first and second clamping memberscomprises rotating the second clamping member from an unclamped positionto a clamped position.
 4. A method in accordance with claim 1 whereinsecuring the component between the first and second clamping memberscomprises rotating the second clamping member from an unclampedposition, wherein the second clamping member does not contact thecomponent, to a clamped position wherein the component is frictionallycoupled to the first and second clamping members.